Deadman (Boston Brand) is a former acrobat and a ghostly superhero in the DC Universe.
Origin[]
Boston Brand was originally a circus performer, specifically a trapeze artist. Operating under the stage name "Deadman", he performed many spectacular death-defying stunts to entertain people. One fateful night, in the middle of a performance, Brand was murdered by a criminal known as the Hook.
Upon his death, Brand found himself before Rama Kushna, an ancient Hindu goddess. She offered Brand the opportunity to investigate his own murder and seek justice, granting him the power to possess the living and use their bodies as vessels so that he could interact with the physical plane. While searching for his killer, Brand felt compelled to use his new abilities to help others, seeking justice for the living as well as himself.
Eventually, Deadman would discover the truth about his murder and came to accept his role as one who intervenes in mortals' lives. Over the years, he has lent his talents to other mystical heroes such as the Phantom Stranger and John Constantine. He has even aided heroes who are neither magical nor psychically inclined, such as Batman.
Powers and Abilities[]
- Intangibility - As a disembodied spirit, Deadman cannot interact with the physical world on his own. He cannot touch anything, nor can he be seen or heard by anyone without spiritual or psychic attunement.
- Flight - As a ghost, Deadman is unbound by the laws of physics and can freely defy gravity, levitating and flying as he chooses.
- Possession - Deadman is able to inhabit the bodies of mortal beings. While occupying a mortal body, he maintains full control over his host and can also speak through them. Whenever he leaves a body, the host has no recollection of their actions while possessed, as though they have awoken from a deep sleep.
- Acrobatics - Brand was a gifted acrobat who performed many death-defying stunts. He is capable of utilizing this skill when he possesses a human body, though his ability may be limited depending on the health and physical condition of the body he is occupying.
- Hand-to-Hand Combat - Brand has learned several forms of martial arts which he may utilize when possessing a human body.
Weaknesses[]
- Incorporeal - As a spirit, Deadman cannot interact with the physical world without first possessing a body.
- Power Limitation - Deadman's abilities are limited depending on the health and condition of whatever body he occupies. For example, if Deadman possesses the body of an out of shape, middle-aged man, he will not be able to tumble as dexterously as he would were he in possession of a more athletic specimen.